Remains found near Newport

NEWPORT - Human remains have been discovered near U.S. Highway 2 west of the city, the Pend Oreille County Sheriff's Office said Thursday.

A citizen reported finding the remains Dec. 2 while he was hiking on property he rents.

Sheriff's deputies responded and confirmed the presence of human skeletal remains and personal property. The Washington State Patrol's Criminal Investigation Team was called to assist deputies in processing the scene and collecting evidence.

Investigators believe the remains had been there for an extended period of time, possibly a year or more. The area has been known for transient activity and camp sites. A preliminary investigation revealed no obvious signs of foul play.

The remains have yet to be identified, although they do not appear to match any missing persons from Pend Oreille County. The remains are being sent to the Spokane County Medical Examiner's Office for DNA and dental records examination in an attempt to identify them.

Meanwhile, sheriff's officials are continuing to investigate a shooting that claimed the life of a Yakima, Wash., teen in November of last year.

Sergio M. Tinajero was found about a quarter mile down a logging road in the 1800 block of Deer Valley Road. Tinajero, 16, was hunting with family members west of Newport.

Tinajero apparently died of a single gunshot wound.

Anyone with information about these cases is asked to call the sheriff's office at (509) 447-1980.